Top 10 Most Hazardous Circus Acts Still in Action Today

Have you ever attended a circus and found yourself thinking, "That didn’t seem very risky"? While it might just be my cautious nature, I believe nearly every circus act carries an element of danger. The essence of the circus lies in weaving a sense of peril into every performance, ensuring the audience remains on the edge of their seats. Even clowns aren’t exempt — their physical comedy often involves risky stunts.

Our list highlights the most extreme acts — whether you view them as the best or the worst is up to you. We’ll explore classic circus performances known for their danger, which continue to captivate audiences despite their history of accidents or fatalities. While some acts may sound familiar, the risks involved might surprise you. Let’s begin with one that’s universally acknowledged as perilous: fire breathing.

10: Fire Breathing

It’s no surprise that this list features the circus stunt of expelling fuel from one’s mouth. Frankly, it belongs on any list of inherently hazardous activities. To emphasize just how astonishing it is that people still perform this trick, let’s break down the steps involved in fire breathing.

To begin, fire breathers hold a flammable substance in their mouths, such as kerosene, gasoline, or an alcohol-based liquid. They then spray the fuel in a fine mist — imagine the gentle spray of a high-end showerhead (the most soothing analogy I could muster for such a risky act). Next, they ignite the mist using a small handheld torch. Lighters and matches are deemed too unreliable for this purpose, which speaks volumes about the act’s inherent risks.

While we don’t need to delve into every potential danger of fire breathing, it’s worth noting a few key risks: the flame can flash back into the performer’s mouth, they can develop chemical pneumonia from inhaling the fuel, and there’s even the risk of poisoning. The audience isn’t entirely safe either — the flame can unpredictably shift, causing burns or even igniting nearby objects.

9: Big Cat Acts

While the use of animals in circuses sparks debate, there’s no denying the widespread appeal of acts involving these majestic creatures. Although it may appear that the big cats used in popular circus acts are fully domesticated and obedient, the truth is that working with lions and tigers remains as hazardous as it was in 1872, when trainer Thomas MacCarte was fatally attacked by five lions in front of a horrified audience [source: New York Times]. Modern trainers are likely more disciplined, unlike MacCarte, who was rumored to have been intoxicated during the tragic event.

Recent incidents further highlight the risks of big cat performances. For instance, during a 2003 Siegfried and Roy show in Las Vegas, a white tiger attacked Roy Horn, leaving him severely injured and ending his career. While Horn claims the tiger was trying to save him from a stroke, the incident underscores the inherent dangers of working with these powerful animals [source: ET].

8: Wall of Death

The Wall of Death is an absolutely insane circus act that might not be widely known, but it continues to thrill audiences decades after its inception [source: Original Wall of Death]. This motor-sports spectacle involves motorcycles or cars racing along the walls of a cylindrical ring while executing daring stunts. It’s a heart-stopping performance to witness, let alone participate in.

While not a feature of every circus (and perhaps that’s for the best), the Wall of Death remains a beloved and iconic form of entertainment. It relies on centrifugal force and inertia to keep riders glued to the curved walls. Originally, the act was even more perilous, with steeper walls and longer tracks, leading to fatalities among both performers and spectators [source: Robbins]. Even today, participants face significant risks, as evidenced by the tragic death of Samantha Morgan, a trailblazing Wall of Death rider, in 2008 due to injuries sustained over her career.

7: Aerial Acts

Let’s be clear: Aerial acrobatics, though a staple of circus shows, are far from safe. Despite being performed for over a century, they remain highly susceptible to mishaps. There are numerous ways for performers to, as they say, "unexpectedly descend" during these acts. Sadly, the history of aerial performances is marred by a significant number of accidents, one of which we’ll explore in greater detail later.

To illustrate the risks, let’s examine a few recent aerial accidents. In 2007, a trapeze artist in Southern California tragically fell 40 feet (12 meters) to his death during a performance, as no safety net was in place [source: Alfano]. In 2013, a Moscow circus performer fell 85 feet (26 meters) through a net but reportedly recovered enough to return to work [source: Rivlin-Nadler]. Even more horrifying, in 2014, eight aerialists performing a hair-hanging act in Providence, Rhode Island, plummeted to the ground when a clip failed. While none died, all suffered severe injuries. The takeaway? Aerial acts may captivate audiences, but gravity always has the final say.

6: Elephant Acts

While it’s true that elephants pose a danger due to their sheer size and strength, their risks extend beyond crushing or injuring humans. For instance, in 1994, an elephant killed its trainer and went on a rampage in Honolulu [source: Cave]. Additionally, when elephants escape circus confines, they can cause widespread destruction. A notable example occurred in 1956 when 42 elephants stampeded while being transported to a railway car [source: NY Times].

However, the dangers aren’t limited to humans. Animal welfare organizations have documented numerous cases of cruelty toward elephants, leading to lawsuits and protests. In 2015, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced plans to phase out elephant acts by 2018. While this decision pleased animal rights advocates, the New York Times editorial board noted that it also allowed the circus to profit further from these controversial animals before their retirement.

5: High Wire

Walking on a thin wire high above the ground is an extraordinary challenge. Performers risk their lives with every performance. Even experienced artists rehearse new tricks close to the ground, often using harnesses and pulleys to perfect their balance. A crucial skill? Mastering the ability to grab the wire during a fall.

Many high-wire acts forego safety nets, with performers like the Guerrero family viewing their absence as a mark of artistic integrity [source: CBS]. Tragically, Walfer Guerrero was paralyzed at 28 after falling 26 feet (8 meters) during a performance in 1997. The accident occurred while attempting a trick involving jumping over another performer on the wire [source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune].

4: Equestrian Acts

Horses might seem gentle and safe, often associated with children and polo players (thanks to Ralph Lauren ads), but they become anything but tame when riders perform acrobatic stunts at full speed. Such acts are undeniably hazardous.

Equestrian acts, or trick riding, have been a cornerstone of circus performances for centuries. Early modern circuses primarily featured equestrian displays, supplemented by clowning and acrobatics [source: Speaight]. These acts often involve vaulting onto horses or performing headstands on their backs while in motion. Even today, circuses consider equestrian acts among their most dangerous, as horses are unpredictable and require a deep understanding from their riders [source: PBS]. Performers must master both their routines and their horses’ behavior.

3: Globe of Terror

The Globe of Terror (or Globe of Death) delivers yet another high-risk circus act. Similar to the Wall of Death, this performance combines centrifugal force and motorcycles in a way most would prefer to avoid. Multiple riders speed around a steel sphere at 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), often accompanied by an aerialist suspended in the center [source: Gallacher].

Unsurprisingly, this act isn’t foolproof. In 2015, two performers collided during a Globe of Death show in Washington state, resulting in injuries. While no fatalities occurred, at least one rider suffered a fracture [source: Johnson].

2: Sword Swallowing

Though more of a sideshow attraction than a traditional circus act, sword swallowing earns its place on our list. Far from being an illusion or trick, it involves inserting a blade down the throat, a practice so inherently risky that the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) dedicates an entire section of its website to the medical risks involved.

A British Medical Journal survey, surprisingly optimistic about sword swallowers’ health, highlights risks such as distraction, swallowing multiple swords, or aggravating prior injuries. Avoid these, and the practice is deemed safe [source: Witcombe and Meyer]. (Their advice, of course, was more detailed than this simplification.)

Take the case of Hannibal Hellmurto, who suffered a terrifying throat injury in 2012 while attempting to swallow a glowing neon rod [source: McQueeney]. The incident left him with a throat wound requiring intensive care, but he resumed performing after recovering.

1: Flying Wallendas

The Flying Wallendas, a legendary circus family with roots dating back to 1780 Austria-Hungary, have thrilled and terrified audiences for generations. Their act earns the top spot due to its long, storied history and the tragedies that have accompanied it, making it one of the most dangerous aerial performances ever.

A bit of history: The Wallendas are renowned for their aerial and wire-walking acts, with their signature performance being the seven-person chair pyramid. Two pairs of performers walk on wires while supporting poles that hold two more aerialists. These aerialists, in turn, balance a pole with a chair, where another performer stands [source: Wallenda].

Tragically, a 1962 performance of the seven-person pyramid resulted in two deaths and left one performer paralyzed. Another accident claimed the life of a Wallenda sister-in-law during an aerial act. Karl Wallenda, the family’s patriarch, also died after falling during a stunt [source: CBS]. Despite these tragedies, the family continues their legacy, with Nik Wallenda successfully completing a Grand Canyon wire-walk in 2013 [source: Nik Wallenda]. Truly remarkable.